The trial of Iraq's Saddam Hussein was delayed again on Tuesday after a series of twists that prompted his lawyers to challenge the proceedings, arguing that politicians are manipulating the U.S.-sponsored court.A court spokesman said the postponement to Sunday was due to witnesses failing to appear, but Saddam's lawyer called that an excuse to cover up chaos following the resignation of the chief judge, who complained of government meddling, and allegations that the judge's deputy had ties to the ousted Baath party."It's not true the witnesses did not show up ... There were three witnesses ready to deliver their testimony," lead defence attorney Khalil al-Dulaimi told Reuters. "This is just an excuse to cover up the state of turmoil and chaos in the court."The court is in disarray ... after the resignations of the judges and enormous political interference."... http://today.reuters.co.uk

Gov. Mitt Romney signaled he may veto a bill that would require religious groups to disclose their finances and is strongly opposed by religious organizations. In remarks on Monday with reporters, Romney said that while he believes government and society have a responsibility to regulate churches and charities, the measure before the Legislature goes too far. His remarks come as the state House of Representatives is poised to consider the measure this week — and as the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston and other religious denominations seek to get it defeated. The bill has already passed the Senate. ...http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-01-24-religiousdisclosurebill_x.htm?csp=34

The government's plans to evacuate people from New Orleans in the approach of a catastrophic storm were only 10 percent complete a month before Hurricane Katrina, newly released documents show. "If you think soup lines in the Depression were long, wait till you see lines" at collection points in New Orleans, Transportation Department regional emergency officer Don Day said at a July 29 briefing with federal and state authorities. "We're at less than 10 percent done with this … planning when you consider the buses and the people," Day said at the briefing, according to notes taken by contractors Innovative Emergency Management Inc. of Baton Rouge....http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1534600&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Police fired tear gas and beat pro-democracy activists with batons Tuesday, hours after authorities lifted a ban on demonstrations in the capital of this Himalayan kingdom. The protest was organized by an alliance of Nepal's seven largest political parties, which is demanding that King Gyanendra hand back power he seized in February 2005 and restore democracy. Police moved against demonstrators shortly after protesters began to gathering. Tear gas quickly filled the crowded streets around a shopping area about two miles from the heavily guarded royal palace complex. Police also used water cannons to disperse the protesters....http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1535570

The Kuwaiti parliament has voted to oust the new emir on health grounds, the first time a Gulf ruler has been removed by a constitutional process. Kuwait has been gripped by a leadership crisis since Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah succeeded his late cousin 10 days ago. MPs met in closed session after efforts to resolve the matter within the ruling family failed to produce a compromise. The cabinet will run the oil-rich Gulf state until a replacement is chosen. It is expected to be the current PM. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad - the half-brother of the late Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad - has been the de facto ruler the country for several years. Earlier, government officials said Sheikh Saad had agreed to abdicate, but no such declaration was received by MPs. Sheikh Saad is a popular figure in Kuwait, though he has played little part in public life recently because of chronic poor health. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4643434.stm

Bombs killed six people and wounded more than 30 others Tuesday in Ahvaz, a southwestern city with a history of violence involving members of Iran’s Arab minority, Iranian state media reported.The bombs exploded outside a bank and a state environmental agency building in Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province, which borders Iraq, the official Islamic Republic News Agency said.President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad canceled a planned visit to Ahvaz Tuesday, citing a forecast calling for heavy rain, IRNA reported. The report did not say whether the blast had any bearing on the cancellation. Ahmadinejad and his entire Cabinet had been expected to meet in Ahvaz as part of a series of visits to provincial capitals to address key local issues....http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11000046/from/RSS/